| Retail |
| Stores or their contracted credit providers issue plastic cards with magnetic stripe or bar-code as an entry mechanism to access the mainframe computer when processing a sale of merchandise to be paid for at a later date. Retail gift cards is a fast growing market segment that uses cards to record amount given and decrement usage by recipient. Bar coded cards are also issued to store employees to record their hours of work on an electronic time clock. Often cards are used as employee badges to convey their name to the store client. Discount cards are also used to reward loyal customers and help increase retail sales of specific product. |
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| Loyalty |
| Loyalty cards are similar to membership cards in function except they are often issued for use by a group of suppliers for the overall benefit of all participants. These cards have magnetic stripe and barcode for capturing card information to issue reward points. Saved points are then redeemed for client rewards. Airlines, major retailers and oil companies are prime users of this type of incentive card. |
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| Petroleum |
| Gas cards are used to charge fuel and services to a client account. These cards can be issued by individuals, companies or car fleet administrators. Plastic cards are now used on pump readers to dispense fuel by the driver without having to enter the gas station. Special site cards allow 24 hour access to commercial refueling locations by transport drivers during off hours when the site would normally be closed. |
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| Telecommunications |
| Phone cards with magnetic stripe are used to electronically access pay phones and charge the cost of the call to the client account. Prepaid cards allow the client to
put money on account for future use. Non magnetic stripe cards have dialing and secure PIN information printed on them to help client use the card in conjunction with
the touch tone standard phone set or cellular phone to make calls. Phone cards are used to reduce cost and eliminate billing if prepaid. |
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| Hospitality |
| The largest group in the hospitality segment are hotel door key cards with an encoded magnetic stripe for door entry. Hotels also use cards for security and maintenance access. Hotel bar cards are used to promote in room bar service and secure the access key. Casinos use cards for client identity and as an electronic wallet where customer cash is loaded on the card magnetic stripe to play the slot machines. Restaurants use cards to recognize and reward loyal customers and identify restaurant staff when using electronic order processing hardware. |
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| Insurance |
| Insurance cards are most commonly seen as identification devices proving insurance coverage. This could be a government issued OHIP card presented at the doctor's office or drug benefits card used at the pharmacy to complete the purchase of prescriptions. Insurance companies issue identification cards to confirm travel insurance coverage. Personalized plastic cards are occasionally used as an incentive in direct mailings to help sell various insurance products such as term life insurance. Entry into the financial services area by insurance companies has initiated the issuance of access cards with secure PIN numbers to allow customers entry into their personal databases. |
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| Membership |
| Membership cards are issued to frequent customers for identification, tracking, invoicing and issuing incentives and rewards. Membership cards usually can only be used in the issuers' location. These cards are usually numbered and often have encoded magnetic stripe or barcodes for electronic processing of information. Issuers include video stores, health clubs, bulk retailers and photo processors. |
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| Automotive |
| Car manufacturers and auto parts manufacturers issue plastic cards to validate information for warranty service programs. As a sales tool, roadside assistance programs are offered by all manufacturers and promoted with a plastic card. Car wash operators issue cards for identification and tracking of pre sold wash packages. |
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| Library |
| Libraries issue a bar coded plastic card for identification and electronic entry onto their computer system. The card is used to record removal and return of books and videos from the library and with magnetic stripe or chip be used to load cash to operate photocopy machines or access the internet. |
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| Health |
| The most common health card is the hospital card issued to each patient as they enter for treatment. It is used for patient identification and billing of services. Hospitals also use photo identification cards for security and access control of all staff and volunteers. |
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| Identification |
| Although cards used in most segments provide some sort of identification there are certain cards where identification of the individual is the prime function. This includes government issued cards for all citizens and immigrants for identification within and entry into Canada. Licenses for driving, hunting and operating a boat or aircraft or often produced as plastic cards. Universities, major corporations, airports and airlines issue identification cards for their students / employees. Most identification cards have magnetic stripe for electronic data processing and a photo for security. |
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| Access |
| Plastic cards with long life magnetic stripe are used to operate readers that open electronically controlled door locks providing access control to buildings, floors of buildings or rooms. Cards are also used in conjunction with a reader to provide security to other sensitive devices such as a personal computer or specialized hardware. |
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| Financial |
| Banks and credit unions issue secure plastic cards with magnetic stripe and or chip technology to access hardware to process the sale of merchandise or issue cash. The transactions can be processed on credit cards or direct payment can be achieved with a plastic debit card. Use of the financial card at ABM's can also provide the client with their banking information and be used to pay bills. Companies that offer cheque cashing services use cards for identification and transaction processing. |
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